Phil Jones orders team-mates to pile more pain on rivals Man City

United host neighbours Manchester City on Sunday looking to make it six straight wins and cement their place in the top four.

By contrast, City have won just two of their last seven outings to drop like a stone into fourth spot in the table.

Pellegrini's men were top of the table on New Year's Day but have suffered a humiliating fall from grace that culminated in Monday's shock 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.

The billionaires have become the laughing stock of the Premier League, with Pellegrini facing a losing battle to save his job and big-name stars like Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri, David Silva and Sergio Aguero questioning their futures at the Etihad.

City will make the short trip across town to Old Trafford on Sunday with their confidence at rock bottom.

“City are still a good team. We know what they're capable of and the threat they have going forward”

Phil Jones

United, meanwhile, are on a high and Jones admits Louis van Gaal's men must take advantage and rub their bitter-rivals' noses in it.

The England star said: "Victories don't last long enough and we've got to move on the next game.

"But it's nice to go into the derby, such a big game, playing well and in form. We need to turn up and make sure we put on another great performance.

"City are still a good team. We know what they're capable of and the threat they have going forward.

"They've got some great players in their squad, but so have we. We've seen in the last few weeks and all season really, what sort of team we can be when we turn up and play our football. Hopefully, we can do that on Sunday as well."

City have won the last four derbies during a period of unprecedented dominance that has seen a dramatic power shift in Manchester.

Ashley Young admits it is time for United to end the hoodoo and reckons Van Gaal's men can take all three points.

He said: "Obviously you want to put that right. That's the first time I have heard that that they have won the last four.

"We just want to keep the momentum we have shown, and the good positive play we have show, especially in the last few games.

"Of course it's a big one again. It will be another massive game. Another derby. We know it will be tough, but as long as we can play the way we have shown, especially in the last few games, and add to that, it's going to be a great game and hopefully we will get the three points."